More Than 60 Business Leaders Back Rhode Island Gay Marriage Bill

More than 60 business leaders last week
united to form Rhode Island Business Leaders for Marriage Equality.

The nascent group is calling on
lawmakers to approve a gay marriage bill currently in the Rhode
Island Senate. The bill cleared the House last month with a broad
51-19 vote.

The measure faces a steeper climb in
the Senate, where Democratic leaders remain opposed but have promised
to hold a committee hearing.

In a press release announcing the new
coalition, business leaders touted the economic benefits of allowing
gay couples to marry.

“The Newport County Chamber of
Commerce said it best: Without marriage equality, Rhode Island puts
itself at a significant economic disadvantage by not recognizing and
respecting all loving, committed couples in the Ocean state,” said
Sally Lapides, president of Residential Properties Ltd. “Ours is
the only New England state without marriage equality, and Rhode
Island firms are losing business. That's why we need the General
Assembly to pass this important legislation.”

Max Winograd, president and co-founder
of NuLabel Technologies, a polymer science and engineering
innovations company, said the measure was needed to keep the state
competitive.

“Marriage equality would strengthen
the workforce of Rhode Island employers,” Winograd stated. “This
legislation is good for business and good for Rhode Island.”